Insulated cable connector



Oct-ll, 1960 M. vMQNAS INSULATED CABLE H KIN CONNECTOR Filed M ay 16, 1958v INVENTOR. i MERIL MONASHKIN ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patent() INSULATED CABLE CUNNECT OR Merl Monashkin, Danbury, Conn., assignor to Burndy Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed May 16, 1958, Ser. No. 735,767 '2 Claims. (Cl. 174-71) The present invention relates to cable connectors of the type adapted for use with insulated cables and which may [have a fully insulated body portion as well as branch portions to which cables may be connected and the resulting junction be completely insulated.

Such connectors are commonly used in underground electrical distribution systems and are usually located in vaults or manholes containing a large number of electrical connectors` in a relatively small volume.

One of the principal objects of my invention, therefore, is to reduce the lateral width of the connector over -previous types of similar connectors, thereby contributing to a reduction in spacial requirements, with corresponding savings in cost of material. Such a connector would also possess an increased electrical eiliciency over the older type of connectors.

Another object of my invention is to permit additional flexibility of the commoning bus bar during installation and rack while maintaining the integrity of the connector insulation.

One of the features of my invention is the use of a bus bar disposed in optimum orientation to provide for structural rigidity while permitting bendability during installation and use and having a plurality of bores therethrough. A plurality of open-ended tubes extend through the bores and are `secured to the commoning bus and are used for connection to electrical conductors. Surrounding this structure is an insulating body made of a tlexible material such as rubber or neoprene.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of one embodiment of the electrical connector of my invention shown partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, also shown partly in section;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the same; and

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of the end of one of the outlet arms enlarged to more clearly show detail.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, there is illustrated therein a multiple connector in accordance with the principles of my invention which is seen to comprise twelve outlets 12 formed by six tubes 14, each of which is disposed in a bore 16 formed in the bus bar body 18. An insulating cover 20 is illustrated molded about the connector and preferably sealed :at the outlets by a plug 22 in a manner hereinafter explained. It is, of course, apparent that the connector of my invention may utilize any number of tubes 14 to provide the desired number of outlets 12.=

An insulated electrical cable 24 may be connected to the outlet 112 by means of crimping as, for example, by the indentations 26. For crimping the tubes 14 should be made of a suitable malleable metal. Of course, any type of connection to an inserted member may be used in place of the crimping.

lCC

The bus bar 18 is preferably made of minimum thickness at stock commensurate with the strength and current carrying capacity desired `such as for example: soft copper. The bores 16 are formed through the bar 18 and the tubes 14 inserted therein and xed thereto by brazing or upsetting or by other suitable means. A stop 28 may be formed iu the tube 14 by an indenting operation prior to the tubes insertion in lthe bores 16, or the conductors may be allowed to abut each other.

The pre-shaped plugs 22 are inserted in Ithe open end of the insulatio'n 20 which covers the tubes 14 and may be cemented or otherwise sealed therein. A peripheral bead 30 tits into seat 32 of the insulation. Plug 22 is removed from the end of the insulation when lan electrical connection is desired to be made by severing the rubber insulation between Ithe peripherally formed beads 34 and 36 positioned on the insulation adjacent the outlets.

For convenience, the connector shown in Fig. 1 has plugs provided in ten of its twelve outlets. ing two outlets are not provided with plugs to assist in the making of the iirst set of connections. It, of course, being assumed that at least two outlets will be used when the connector is first put into service.

As shown in the upper right o'f Fig. 1, after the plugs 22 :are removed, the end 38 of the insulation covering 20 extending over each tube 14 is rolled up to expose suicient tube area for crimping. The bared end 40 of the cable 24 is thereadter inserted into the tube 14, until it reaches the stop 28. The indentations 26 are formed and the insulation covering 38 unrolled to cover the crimped connections. Suitable resealing means such as electrical tape not shown is employed to seal the connector insulation to the cable insulation 42.

lIt has been :found desirable to provide additional spacing between pairs of tubes 14 in order to provide clearance for a crimping tool to have access to each of the arms 12 for making a connection. If additional space is needed for clearance between adjacent arms 12, the bus bar 18 may be bent `to spread these adjacent arms and provide additional clearance for the crimping tool. After the connection has been made, the bar 18 may then be strained for connections to be made on the other side to the other arm. When providing a flexible insulation 20, the integrity of the insulation is maintained during the bending of the bus bar.

The connector of our invention provides the minimum in line clearance for a multiple electrical connector with in-line connections such as are formed at the outlets of each metal tube 14. Thus it is not necessary to provide space between the adjacent ends of electrical cables for the connector body as hitherto deemed necessary. Consequently, there is a substantial saving in the volumetric requirements in an underground vault or manhole where conditions are usually crowded.

There are also direct savings in the materials used. Moreover, the current may pass directly from the tube enclosing one cable to the in-line adjacent cable resulting in an increase in the electrical joint efliciency.

The multiple connector of my invention may be made in as many pairs of in-line connections and is found desirable.

I have thus described my invention, but I desire it understood that it is not confined to the particular form or use shown vand described, the same being merely illustrative, and that the invention may be carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit of my invention, and, therefore, I claim broadly the right to employ all equivalent instrumentalities coming within the scope of the appended claims, and by means of which, objects of my invention are attained and new results accomplished, as it is obvious that the particular ern- The remainv bodinients herein shown and described are only some Of the many that can be employed to attain these objects and accomplish these results.

I claim:

1. A multiple connector comprising a lbody having a plurality of bores extending .entirely through-:said body between the largest surfaces thereof; a plurality 'df tubes each extending 'through one of sad bores and Ahaving open ends extending from said body on both 'sides .there of; means for securing said tubes to said body and .means 10 for making connections between the ends of said tubes and members inserted in said tubes.

2. An electrical connection comprising a body .having a plurality of bores extending entirely therethrough between the largest surfaces thereof; a plurality of tubes extending through -sa'id bores Sand Vhaving open ends extending from said body on both sides thereof; la plurality of electrical `cables each coupled to one -end of o'ue -of said tubes and alayer of llexible insulation surrounding said body and tubes.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,307,690 Lee Ian. 5, 1943 2,564,463 -Burns Aug 14, 1951 'FOREIGN 'PATENTS 693,371 Great 'Britain July 1, 1953 "OTHER REFERENCES Publication: IBurndy Mole, published by Burndy Engineering Co., Inc., 305 East 45th St., New York, N.Y. 

